The WWF Australia is campaigning for all Australians to join them in making small changes to our usage of plastics. If we all change just some of our habits, it will have a huge impact on our planet and it's marine wildlife.

But what's more shocking is the damage these plastics do to our environment. The discarded bags, balloons, straws and bottles make their way into the waterways and ultimately into the sea where they have a devastating effect on our wildlife. Plastic can take anywhere from 20 years to 500 years to break down. The numbers are scary but they need not be if we change our ways.

Plastics are convenient and definitely make our lives easier, but there are ways that we can get by without them. We just need to make small changes with our everyday use. There's a well-known quote that says "It takes 21 days to form a new habit." Whether that quote is true or not, 21 days is a good length of time to make some long-term changes around your house and workplace. And, who doesn't love the idea that you can change your life and the world in just three weeks?

Some simple steps that you can follow are:

While Shopping
Remember to take your reusable shopping bags with you and buy products that have minimal plastic packaging.

BYO Drink Container
Drink from reusable bottles and take a 'keep cup' to your cafe for your morning coffee

Say No
To straws, plastic cutlery and non-compostable takeaway containers. Or take your own for take away

Stash That Trash
Collect all your soft plastics and recycle them via your council recycle bin or at your local supermarket

People Power
Ask your supermarket or food retailer to stock paper packing bags at the checkout instead of plastic. Your shopping dollars could also have an impact on what gets stocked at the shop. Perhaps choose not to buy an item that has unnecessary plastic packaging and give feedback to the store about why you're not.

So this July, get some great tips from the WWF on how you can reduce your use of plastic and make positive changes for our planet. Share your ideas too - what do you do / what will you do to cut the amount of plastic that you use? You can share your tips on the WWF Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages by using the hashtag #ReduceYourUse

WWF is Australia's most trusted conservation organisation and works to protect endangered species and habitats, meet the challenge of climate change, and to build a world where people live in harmony with nature.

Graphic imagery - so sad... pleased to report we do our best with recycling - War on Waste really impacted on us and we collect all uncontaminated plastic packaging that can't be recycled in the yellow recycling bin and put it into the collection bins at either Coles or Woolworths (hoping more supermarkets/retailers get on board).